Eagles Preseason Pick Is An Unfunny Joke

September 01, 1985|by COULT AUBREY, The Morning Call

In a landslide vote reminiscent of the last presidential election, the Philadelphia Eagles have been picked to finish last in the National Conference East - understandably, too, based on the 1984 season when they went wire-to- wire without ever leaving the basement.

They won only two games against division opponents and their six victories overall were five less than champion Washington and three less than the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.

But this is a new year and, until six weeks ago, Ron Jaworski considered the preseason prediction a totally unfunny joke. His Eagles were 5-5-1 over the final 11 games last year, and the veteran quarterback felt certain they would be playoff contenders in 1985.

His reasoning was sound. Two of the late-season defeats were by a single point, 24-23 to the Miami Dolphins, who were undefeated at the time, and 17-16 to St. Louis, which had destroyed the Eagles 34-14 in late October.

So Jaworski thought the Eagles would be playoff contenders and might even challenge for the division championship. He expects the NFC East to be as tightly contested in 1985 as it was a year ago when, despite their 6-9-1 record, the Eagles weren't eliminated from playoff contention until the next- to-last weekend. The Redskins didn't clinch the title until the final second of the final game.

But training camp for veterans opened on July 26, and Jaworski's optimism disappeared in the storm clouds that persisted over West Chester University. Eleven veterans, including No. 1 runner Wilbert Montgomery, No. 1 pass receiver Mike Quick, No. 1 tackler Jerry Robinson and three free agents boycotted camp in retaliation against new owner Norman Braman's tight fiscal policies or his refusal to honor predecessor Leonard Tose's promises. Also missing was No. 1 draft pick Kevin Allen, who was counted upon to help strengthen a weak offensive line.

"I'm the eternal optimist," Jaworski said, "but I'm also a realist. I don't feel as good about the season as I did a couple of months ago. I thought we had turned the corner, but now I'm not so sure. We'll win some games, but I don't know if we'll win as many as we would have with everybody here."

Things brightened considerably with the return of tackle Leonard Mitchell, cornerback Herman Edwards, free safety Wes Hopkins, linebacker Reggie Wilkes and the signing of Allen, but Montgomery, the most productive runner in Eagles' history, has been traded to Detroit and Quick, Dennis Harrison, free agent linebacker Joel Williams and Robinson remain home with the opener against the Giants only one week away. Jaworski would like them all in uniform but, as a quarterback, he needs Mike Quick.

"Mike is very important to our offense," said Jaworski, who has recovered fully from a brokenleft leg and ankle ligaments torn in last year's game against the Cardinals in St. Louis. "He is such a threat that he opens things up for our other receivers."

Without Quick the deep-threat burden falls upon Kenny Jackson, the No. 1 draft pick in 1984 who missed much of last season with a separated shoulder. Gregg Garrity, Jackson's teammate at Penn State, had an excellent training camp and virtually has locked up a job on the other side.

Despite the most difficult summer of his life, Coach Marion Campbell begins his third season as head coach convinced the Eagles can win. Some of his young players got more work than they normally would had the veterans been in camp, and they impressed him in the preseason games.

"We've got a lot of young talent among our draft choices and free agents, and I like what I've seen," Campbell said. "These guys took it upon themselves to fill the gaps and did a good job. We even had to leave some good athletes go."

One player who pleased Campbell immensely in camp is Bethlehem's Mike Reichenbach, who replaces Robinson at inside linebacker alongside Anthony Griggs. Campbell even gave Reichenbach the responsibility of calling defensive signals.

"He can handle it," Campbell said of the 235-pounder who was released in training camp a year ago, then was recalled and did a sensational job on special teams while filling in well when Robinson was injured. "He's a smart kid and a fine football player. We've won with him in there and can do it again. He'll do a fine job for us."